* Years after pulling out of Colorado, Club Med announced it’s returning to North America, but this time the all-inclusive concept to skiing is coming to Canada. With the help of Cirque du Soleil’s co-founder, Daniel Gauthier, Le Massif in Quebec’s Charlevoix will see bottomless drinks and never-ending buffets after hundreds of GMs return from a day on the slopes with their groups. Joining Club Med’s 24 villages in France, Italy, Switzerland, Japan and China, the $120-million, four-season, 300-room development an hour and 20 minutes east of Quebec City plans to open in late 2020.
* Quebec City had an eclipse just before Christmas. Replacing the 50-year-old La Bordée chairlift and more than 30-year-old Le Chinook T-bar, l’Éclipse is Stoneham’s new Doppelmayr fixed-grip quad with loading conveyor belt. Éclipse got its name from Stoneham’s Facebook contest and was inspired by memories of last August’s solar party.
* Guests know they’ll eat well at any Fairmont Hotel, but Tremblant’s new Choux Gras takes dining to new heights. Reminiscent of great French brasseries, it offers fresh seasonal products and large tasty sharing plates. The hotel’s Moment Spa also underwent major renovations and upgraded its relaxation areas.
* North of Ottawa in the Gatineau Hills, popular Camp Fortune can now serve the crowds quicker with its new EXPRESS automated system at each lift, allowing flexible lift tickets when you only have a few hours to spare.
by MARIE-PIERE BELISLE-KENNEDY in the Winter 2018 issue
